Upgrading to wider front tires, steering box??
#1140273
12/20/11 08:30 PM
12/20/11 08:30 PM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 69
racine,wi
70gtx1
OP
member
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OP
member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 69
racine,wi
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I have been slowly changing my 70 GTX from being a drag racer to more of a street car again. Im finding out I have more fun driving it on the street than racing it. I currently have 15 x3.5 drag wheels up front, and cheater type slicks on the rear. Handles like garbage on the street. I plan on getting new rims and running a set of 17x8 rims up front with 255/45 17 tires up front, very much wider. I currently have manual steering, thats a little sloppy. I plan to get the box rebuilt. My question is, am I better off getting the box rebuilt with a faster ratio, due to the wider tires, or should the stock ratio be good enough. My concern is that it will be very hard to turn the wheels. Never dealt with this before, any input would be appreciated, thanks.
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Re: Upgrading to wider front tires, steering box??
[Re: 70gtx1]
#1140275
12/20/11 11:17 PM
12/20/11 11:17 PM
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,356
Kentucky
dfsmopars
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,356
Kentucky
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I have 18 x 9 on the front of my '72 Charger with firm feel steering. I had it aligned and I am assuming to stock specs. I like the way it handles but the steering seems to be a little slow in returning after turning. Not sure but that may need some tweaking on the alignment. I like the wider 255 tires but I am not sure if the firm feel was necessary. BTW, the car is also power steering. I like the set up but it needs a slight adjustment I think I hope this information is useful.
‘72 Charger, 5.9 Magnum, Tremec 5 spd., Pro-Touring
‘14 Big Horn, Quad Cab, 4x4, 1500
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Re: Upgrading to wider front tires, steering box??
[Re: dfsmopars]
#1140276
12/20/11 11:44 PM
12/20/11 11:44 PM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 69
racine,wi
70gtx1
OP
member
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OP
member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 69
racine,wi
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I got the idea in tire sizing from this article http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/featu...ules/index.htmlI love the way the car looks with those tires and wheels, thats where i got the idea from. I guess the first thing i should do is get the rims and tires, and see how it feels. Im not trying to build a canyon carver or anything, just a real nice driver.
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Re: Upgrading to wider front tires, steering box??
[Re: 70gtx1]
#1140277
12/20/11 11:56 PM
12/20/11 11:56 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 12,291
Kent, Wa
340SHORTY
Truck Nut
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Truck Nut
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 12,291
Kent, Wa
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Personally,,, Id back p to 245 on the front.
I am truckless..
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Re: Upgrading to wider front tires, steering box??
[Re: 70gtx1]
#1140279
12/21/11 12:42 AM
12/21/11 12:42 AM
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,356
Kentucky
dfsmopars
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,356
Kentucky
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Quote:
I got the idea in tire sizing from this article http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/featu...ules/index.html
I love the way the car looks with those tires and wheels, thats where i got the idea from. I guess the first thing i should do is get the rims and tires, and see how it feels. Im not trying to build a canyon carver or anything, just a real nice driver.
I think getting the wheels and tires first before modifying the steering is a good idea but if you are going to push the envelope on the tire size you'll have to do a lot of homework so you don't waste your money. I studied mine for three weeks before I was confident I was ready to make the investment. My front wheels have a deep front dish. They are 9" wide with a 4" backspacing. I was able to lower the front about an inch and I have no rubbing anywhere. I left myself about a half inch cleaerance between the inner fender and the tire.
‘72 Charger, 5.9 Magnum, Tremec 5 spd., Pro-Touring
‘14 Big Horn, Quad Cab, 4x4, 1500
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Re: Upgrading to wider front tires, steering box??
[Re: ahy]
#1140280
12/21/11 12:43 AM
12/21/11 12:43 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,468
So Cal
autoxcuda
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,468
So Cal
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Quote:
I think its a good idea to do the tires and wheels first and see how you like the steering. I checked and 8" - 9.5" is the recommended wheel size for a 255-45-17 Continental tire. 8 is just enough. If you have a friend or friendly tire dealer that can give you a test wheel/tire first you can check fit and backspace. With the wider wheels backspace needs to be dialed in real close to avoid or minimize rub.
On mine (70E), the tire dealer mounted up a 225-45-17 for me on an 8" wheel with 4" backspace as a test. I mounted and checked with T bars removed for easy full suspension travel. 4" was close but not ideal. I ordered two wheels with 4 1/8" backspace and bought the test wheel as a spare. I probably used a conservative fit guideline... 1/2" minimum clearance at extreme turn and suspension travel. If you don't mind going closer or rubbing from time to time, bigger will work.
Factory backspace was 4.25 on a 7" wide rim.
I'd think you'd run at least 4.5" backspace up front with a 17x8 rim.
On my 68 Barracuda, I've run 4.5" backspacing on a 8" wide rim with 24.5" diamter tires. No rubbing.
I'd error to the inside (more backspacing) as you can always add a 1/16" to 1/4" spacer easy.
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